Seraphina continued to guide me through the city, showing me essential places like an apothecary, a bookstore, market stalls, and, most importantly, spots that would help during my stay—laundries, inns, and cafés.
She even introduced me to a restaurant she often visited.
As we finished our tour, she turned to me. "Let's head back to the palace, Alve. I think His Majesty has more to discuss with you."
"Oh… alright!" I responded, rubbing my head as I walked beside her. I think I was finally awake now.
Seraphina glanced at me out of the corner of her eye and chuckled softly.
_"He's still a cute child despite what I've heard about him."_
Suddenly, a loud voice interrupted our conversation.
"Hey! Somebody stop him! He's stealing my magic stone!"
We turned toward the source of the commotion—an angry shopkeeper pointing at a thief dashing through the street.
Seraphina moved instinctively, ready to grab the thief's hand, but something made her pause.
"Huh…?"
Right before she could react, I simply shifted my foot ever so slightly—just enough for the thief to trip over it.
_THUD!_
The thief tumbled forward, crashing to the ground.
Seraphina stood frozen for a moment.
_"What was that?"_ she thought.
It was so quick, so effortless, that even the thief seemed unsure of what had just happened.
I turned to her and asked, "Miss Sera? What's wrong?"
"N-No, it's nothing," she muttered, still processing what she had just witnessed.
Her thoughts raced.
_"He was yawning and scratching his head just seconds ago, barely paying attention… and yet, he reacted instantly?"_
Before she could question it further, the shopkeeper and patrolling knights rushed over, apprehending the fallen thief.
Without another word, we continued our way back to the palace.
---
### **A Summons from the King**
Upon reaching the royal palace, we were met by a knight who immediately addressed us.
"His Majesty has summoned you both. I'll escort Lady Seraphina and Sir Alve."
… _Sir?_ Again?
Did someone tell them something strange about me?
Following the knight, we arrived at a room lined with towering bookshelves filled with countless volumes.
"Is this some sort of study? Or a library?" I asked.
"Yes, this is the royal library," Seraphina replied. "One of a kind, if I must say."
I stared in awe.
I wasn't much of a book reader, but seeing so many in one place was impressive.
_"Could anyone even read all of these in a lifetime?"_
Before I could dwell on the thought, King Leontius' voice rang out.
"You're finally here!"
Seraphina gave a small bow in greeting, and I followed her lead.
The king wasted no time. "Alve, you mentioned you were good with these kinds of things. Take a look at this."
He handed me a sheet of parchment filled with listed items and prices.
I scanned it briefly.
"The calculations are wrong," I said without hesitation.
Seraphina and the king both raised an eyebrow.
… Maybe I should've sugarcoated that a little.